What are orthotics?
Foot orthotics are inserts like an innersole that go into your shoe and are used to treat a variety of conditions throughout the lifespan including knee pain, foot pain, shin splints, arthritis of the foot and knee and ankle instability.
You will commonly see athletes of all ages requiring orthotics, as well as middle-aged adults and the elderly.
Orthotics are available off the shelf or custom made at Back In Motion Rosny Park. Off the shelf orthotics may be used for temporary foot support such as in stress fractures, plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains. Customised orthotics provide greater support, particularly to the arch of the foot and may be beneficial for anterior knee pain, recurrent or long term plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of the knee, ankle instability, recurrent shin splints and painful high arches.
At BIM RP, with the use of The Orthotic Group GaitScan™ technology, we can visualise the dynamic movements of your feet by having you walk across a pressure plate. This information is then used to determine if your foot movement may be impacting your condition and if orthotics may be beneficial. If recommended, custom orthotics are made based on your GaitScan results and personal preferences.
So what is this GaitScan™ technology, exactly?
GaitScan™ provides a comprehensive biomechanical (movement) evaluation for each client. The reports give us access to over a million data points which show deviations from optimal biomechanics and assist us, as your physiotherapists, in effectively diagnosing and prescribing orthotic solutions for you.
As part of the assessment, you are required to walk over a pressure plate. This then translates to our computer screen and you can see where the pressure is through your feet as you are walking (see an example in the image below).
We then send this information off to The Orthotic Group who send back recommendations on what customisations would be optimal for you. We can then use this information to order customised orthotics straight away (depending on your health insurance cover, sometimes you can get a rebate) or we can modify off the shelf orthotics (not possible in every case).
How do we get started?
If you are an existing client, you can alert your physiotherapist that you are interested and we can add a free 10 minute GaitScan™ assessment into your next appointment for you.
If you are a new client, give our friendly reception team a call on 6281 2499 to book in to see one of our physiotherapists who can help you.
Authors:
Sascha Wise (B. Biotech, B. Physio) - Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Rosny Park
Jess Garlick (BHSc, M. Physiotherapy Practice) - Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Rosny Park